Pistachio cookies

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line a baking tray with baking paper. To make the cookies, cream the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, then add the remaining ingredients and combine until a stiff dough is formed. Roll into a cylinder, wrap in clingwrap, then chill for 15 minutes.
2. While the dough is resting, combine all the paste ingredients in a blender’s jug, then blend until combined but still chunky. Add more water if necessary.
3. Once the dough has rested, cut it into 2 cm discs, then roll into small balls. Place on the baking tray and flatten using a fork. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until slightly golden and crispy. Cool on a wire rack.
4. Once cool, fill with the pistachio paste and sandwich together.

Cook's note: Freeze the dough tightly wrapped in clingwrap, then defrost overnight in the fridge. Adjust the recipe as you like: add chocolate chips, dried figs, chopped dates, chopped nuts, or make a small indent with your thumb and add a spoonful of jam before baking.

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